The family of Edson Lloyd Johnson, of Bridgewater, would like you to know that he passed away on February 23, 2015 at the age of 99 years in Queens General Hospital, Liverpool.
Born in Danesville, Queens County on July 2, 1915, he was the son of Edgar and Susan Johnson.
In his many years of living, dad saw and experienced enormous changes. As a young man, he remembered bringing home game and picking berries for the table. His father championed a school in Danesville and dad graduated from there with what was then grade ten. He was a good student who enjoyed reading and was good at math. He later went on to complete his grade 12 G.E.D..
He learned much from his father who was a carpenter and used those skills to earn much of his living. But, before that time, he, like many or most others of his time, worked in the woods for logging companies. At times, he became the cook in camps and used his marksmanship to add to the food for the tables. He never went without employment and worked at building companies in Liverpool, Hebbville, Bridgewater, Halifax, Cape Breton, Pictou and Labrador. He went where there was work and became one of the best workers, learning along the way to become a craftsman. He later taught himself how to use a lathe and his children and his grandchildren have many pieces of his wood work in their homes.
In later years, he was fortunate to travel with his children and saw/visited every province and territory in Canada; many numerous times. He took, with his family, a two week trip to Great Britain that included a week aboard canal boats that went through parts of England and Wales and a week on Holy Island, in Northumberland County, England and from there he travelled by train through parts of Scotland.
He travelled through all of the New England States and many of the Western and Southern parts of the USA visiting the Red Wood Forests, the Grand Canyon, Reno, Las Vegas, the Golden Gate Bridge, rode the trolley cars of San Francisco, had a quick trip into Mexicali, Mexico, visited Boot Hill and saw an enactment of the Shoot Out at he OK Corral in Tombstone, AZ.
In later years, he enjoyed numerous family gatherings, firemen’s breakfasts, various suppers, card games and being warmed by the firewood he had split and put inside his home for the winter.
He was active in the Middlewood United Church and served many years as an Elder. The inside and outside of the church has many examples of his skills as a woodworker. For example, he made the fleur-de-lis that sits atop the steeple and he and his sons put it in place. He also made the window frames including the large one at the back of the choir loft.
He had six children. Margaret (Lee) Nauss, Melba (Bruce) Holm, Monte Edson (Linda Wilson), Glenda (Philip) Bolliver and Jeffrey (Mike Williams). He also had nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Alice (Sarty), both of his parents and siblings: Sister Blanche and brothers Clifford, Eli, Zenus, Stanley, Guy and Lester. He was the last remaining member of his family.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Middlewood United Church followed by refreshments in the church hall and a private interment. Many thanks for the care provided to Dad by Dr. Woodford, and the staff of Queens General Hospital. Memorial donations may be made to Middlewood United Church. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Brenda Lawrence
To Jeff and Family . So sorry to hear that your Dad passed away . He sounds like a man who travelled the world and must of had a book of memories . I know you are all very proud of him . I only know of him briefly but he sure was a gentleman . Thinking of you in your time of sorrow . Sincerely Brenda Lawrence
Heather Anthony
To all of Edson’s Family, having grown up not very far away from all of Edson’s children, I want to offer my sincere condolences. You have had your father for so many years, and shared so many memories with him, may these sustain you through this sad time.
Karen Fultz
to Jeff and family
I am sorry to hear about your Dad.
Rachel Dexter
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. You are blessed to have had your Dad all these years to enable many wonderful memories which I am sure you will carry with you forever. Now he will rest in the arms of God .
Rev. Gloria Churchill
To the family of Edson Johnson,
While I never had the privilege of personally knowing your father, I see he touched many lives through his friends and family, his work in camps, his carpentry and woodwork, his travels, and his community and church involvement. On behalf of the Maritime Conference and myself, I extend to you our deep appreciation for all he contributed to the United Church especially his workmanship with the Middlewood UC and his many gifts of time, talent, and financial resources over many years as well as his work as an Elder. Also, please accept our heartfelt sympathy on his death. May your memories of such a special man and God’s love bring you comfort and sustain you in the days, weeks, and months ahead. In Peace, Rev. Gloria Churchill, President of the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada
Bill and Patsy Barry
To MELBA and Family, pleas accept our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your Dad. Bill and I meet you Dad just once at a strawberry supper, but after watching the photo memorial were privileged to see a glimpse inside a long and wonderful live of a man of many talents and the love of a great family. What wonderful memories. Will remain in our prayers.
Bill and Patsy Barry
Rosalee and Murray Smith
Jeff and family, so sorry to hear about your dad. You have so many wonderful memories! keep them close. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Anna-Stell Vaughn
Dear Jeff and Family:
Your Dad led an amazing life, and may your precious memories of him help you through the difficult times. My deepest ‘sympathy’.
Anna-Stell
Tom Gougeon and Susan Hutton
Dear Melba and Family. Your Dad’s life story is truly remarkable; and believable. Remarkable in how active and accomplished he was throughout his life, and believable because he lived a life that most people only hope to live being loved and respected for his honest and quiet ways .Your dad must have made strong impressions on all those who met him. I my case, in the 1970’s when I travelled from BC and visited you at your mother and father’s home. Since that day, I still hold clear images of your Dad from the brief time we spent with him there. From the pictures, I am most struck with the images of a solid Johnson family, the fireplace mantle that he built, and the many family gatherings with your Dad in the centre and you nearby. We send our deepest sympathy to you and your wonderful family.
Tom and Susan
Gary and Donna Jollimore
To Jeff, Melba and Family: Please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of your Dad. Let your many memories help you get through this difficult time. I always thought Edson was stern but always fair and honest. He lived a full and long life. I know that he loved his Family very much. He has been reunited with Alice and that should give you comfort. Take care of each other. Warmest Regards, Donna.
Linda Dagley & family
To the Family: Our deepest sympathy to you all. Edson had a long wonderful life with his loving family close at hand. Cherish your memories always. God Bless
Lynn Roy, Algar Johnson and family
Sending our sincerest sympathy to all your family. I am so glad that dad (Algar) had time to spend with Edson. He was telling me how much he enjoyed his chat with him. He will be missed.
Take Care
Lynn and family
Anne Peverill
Jeff, so sorry to read about your loss. Our sincere condolences to you and the family.
Carl and Chris Heggelin
Dear Melba and Bruce,
Please accept our sympathy, and extend it to the others in your family.
Over 50 years ago, good fortune introduced us, Melba; for over 50 years I have heard your stories about your family, and have also had the pleasure of meeting all family members. I would say that high expectations and great respect were and are qualities found in abundance in your family, passed to all of you by your parents. I have been in awe of how your dad maintained independance despite his advanced age, and in awe at the great lengths to which you and your siblings went to help him maintain that. You and your family have shown caring and giving in so many ways. Your dad must have been so proud of you all. Carl and I both hope that you are comforted, knowing that you could not have done more.
With our love, respect and sympathy,
Carl and Chris
Valerie & Roger Wilcox
Jeff and family,
We were so sorry to read that your dear father had died. It is so wonderful that he lived such an enjoyable long life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Beulah Hirtle
To the family of Edson Johnson – I send my deepest sympathy on the passing of Edson. He was a kind person for me to talk to at family gatherings and church and I missed him very much when he was unable to attend them. I am sad that I will probably miss his memorial service as I am out of the country for another 5 weeks. Thinking of you all and praying for comfort and peace to you during this time of grief.
Sincerely,
Beulah Hirtle
Bev & Mike Llewellyn
Margaret, Jeffery, Edson , Monte & family: So sorry to hear of your loss. All I can say is WOW what an amazing time he had and you got to live it with him. God bless.
Ruth Anne Zwicker
Jeff and family, So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. What a wonderful long life he had to share with his family. Let the memories of happy times together support you through this difficult time. Take care…
Natalie Flam
Glenda and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larry and Edwina Holm
Our condelences from the Holm family in B.C. , Larry, Edwina, Robyn and Kristi
Rev. Vivian Moores
To each one of you, Edson’s family, I send my sincere and heartfelt sympathy. I have been privileged and honored to be in the company of this amazing man since 2008 – whether at worship in Middlewood United Church, at meetings, visits in his home or in hospital. The more I grew to know him – the greater my respect and love for him. As his minister I witnessed his faithfulness to God’s church and mission through both his words and deeds. I will always be able to look around the sanctuary and hall and see the visible signs of Edson’s work, especially his carpenter skills. But as I shared with some of you – I will ALWAYS remember him when we celebrate Holy Communion because he was the Elder that served me. As his hands reached out to serve me – I received – from one who had wisdom beyond my years and service long before my time. He still worshipped his God at 99 years old!!! I loved to visit him (one-on-one) and listen as he shared his life’s journey, i.e. his family, his workplaces, his church. What a wonderful man, what a wonderful gift to each of us who knew him. May God’s peace sustain you and the good memories bring a smile and healing – as you go through this difficult and tender time. Rev. Vivian Moores
Ron and Diane Mitchell
To the Johnson family,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I know he will be missed at the many family gatherings. He certainly was a talented wood worker as is shown in the many pieces he made. He lived a long and interesting life shared by all of you.
Darrell Dawson & Hedy Redeker
To Melba and Family members.
Please accept our sincere condolences and sympathy on the passing of your father. He certainly lived to a ripe old age and no doubt you have many wonderful memories to look back on.
Hedy and I met your Dad twice and in each case we were amazed at how he conversed with us. He had a mind of a much younger person with the wisdom of his age.
May he rest in peace and be with God.
Sylvia Langille
Dear Misty & Edson’s family,
So sorry to hear about Edson. I regret never getting to know him or my grandfather Guy’s family. Being so young when my grandparents and parents passed away prevented it! Take care and God bless you all !You are in my thoughts often!
Sylvia (Ward) Langille
Kim and Richard Dagley
To the Family
Both of us are sending Huge Hugs to All of You. My Heart is so Saddened that I will not see him out and about or sharing a story while visiting, all of You can now have peace of Mind knowing he is at peace. Thanks so Much Jeff for letting us know. Your Dad had a special spot in my Heart. I will miss him.
Sending Love
Kim and Richard Dagley
Alice
Jeff,
I find my thought’s wandering back to last fall when we chatted in the grocery store. You pointed out your dad doing his own grocery shopping. I was amazed that at his age of 99, he was still able to be out and about.
The picture’s above show a very happy and well filled life. You will miss him dearly, but hold onto those memories and cherish each moment that you had together.
Hugs Alice Frauzel and family
Debbie Hamilton
My sincere condolences to you and your family. My mother talked about him often and now they can continue their talks…hopefully while looking out over their beloved Middlewood homesteads.